'State of Charge' meter - always on or switched ?

rhinoman

I currently have my SOCM (State of charge meter) switched off the ignition. Originally I was thinking that although the draw is minimal, if I'm not using the cart for a period of time (5 nights during the week), it's just extra draw-down on the batteries.

Immediately aftercharging the cart, voltage is (naturally) higher on the bank for a while. If I drive it during this time, the meter shows 'red', as I'm guessing it switches to 48V and indicates I'm waaaay under the acceptable threshold. After a while voltage falls back down to a normal level, and a keyswitch cycle will display properly.

Question: If I left the meter 'on' all the time, would I avoid this problem? Is the draw on the SOCM even enough to worry about, or should I just shut-up and drive the cart ? ;)

/Rhino.

BGW

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buscopat

Well Rhino,
I don't have an answer for you, but I am interested in the correct answer, and I see that you have given people plenty of choices for your answer.
Someone will wander by with the correct answer soon.

this_is_nascar

Not quite sure what you're saying/asking. My meter comes on only after turning the key to the ON position. It stays on, until I turn the key OFF. Whenever I'm not actually using the cart, I keep the key in the OFF position, except for those times I'm motoring down to the restroom at the campground, then I leave it on while in there.

scubabud

Here is a thought… Just keep the key on and see if there are any different results, same as if you wired it that way.

Second, the draw is minimal.

Is this an LCD meter with Green, Yellow and Red? Mine will go to a blinking red light showing as if the pack is at 10% when really its 49+ volts after sitting for 10-15 miutes and tested with a digital gauge. That’s why I use a built in digital meter instead of the “PRETTY” but useless LCD meter I purchased first and blew $50 on.

oxfordlawn

No, it is normal for the meter to drop off while using the cart and driving around, pack voltages and will give true reading after a few minutes of inactivity. A battery pack is considered dead at 48 V, but when accelerating hard or climbing a hill, the pack voltage sags to 48 or even 47 sometimes, making the meter fall to red...again so that is normal, the true reading is after a few minutes of sitting still.

If its already switched off the key, leave it alone, thats fine, in fact thats great... and that will not effect the drop down while driving, its just showing what it is seeing

oxfordlawn

Yeah but you and I both know that LED meter is "shure perty" aint she

rhinoman

This is the unit I installed: LCD Meter

Oh yeah, it's pretty... I'd love to find and install an actual voltage meter as well. My main issue is such that 'gauge meter' is 36V/48V, and auto-senses to the 48V range when I turn the key on after charging. I'll leave it on and see what happens. Will have to do it at night so the kids don't get on the cart though.

Rhino

scubabud

The link for the LCD doesn't show anymore on eBay. Got a picture of it or another link?

Sorry, it works now!

rhinoman

Updated the link. Working now ?

scubabud

Sorry, the link in your thread works now!